Welcoming
Message
Dear Reading School
District School Community Members,
It is my pleasure
and privilege to lead the Reading School District Health Services
Department within the Student Services Department. The Certified
School Nurses and Health Assistants are committed to providing your
children with the highest standard of care.
We will strive to
determine each student’s individual needs with regards to immediate
and on-going health issues. We will partner with you and community
resources to develop plans with specific interventions and goals for
each student. Lastly, we will evaluate each student’s response to
the care given.
The Certified
School Nurses and Health Assistants ask that you provide us with
information about your children and services in the community.
Together, we can ensure that all Reading School District students
are at their highest level of health and wellness.
Sincerely,
Anne Fisher, RN,
M.Ed, CSN
Supervisor of
School Health.
Mission
Statement
The Health
Department of the Reading School District strives to deliver
comprehensive care to promote each student’s optimal level of
physical, mental and social wellness and encourage success and
achievement within and beyond the academic setting.
Goals:
Develop and
maintain a comprehensive district-wide, but school-specific, school
health program that focuses on health promotion, health protection
and disease management.
Advocate for the
physical, psychological and socioeconomic wellness of each student.
Act as a resource
to students, parents, faculty and community members regarding the
correlation between health and academic success.
Act as liaisons
with health care providers,
parents and school personnel for optimal coordination of student
care.
Actively
participate in district-wide and school-specific safe school, crisis
intervention and student support teams.
Develop and enlist
technology to ensure appropriate, current
and accurate student health records.
Promote department
cohesion through district event staffing and staff development
trainings.
Promote the concept
of Coordinated School Health.
Investigate and
implement grants and research to improve the delivery of health
care to students and staff.
Programs
and Services
Description of
Program and Services
The Reading
School District Health Department follows the Comprehensive School
Health Model to plan and implement health services for the students,
staff and families served by the District. This model contains
eight components: School Health Services; School Health Education;
School Health Environment; School Physical Education; School Food
Services; School Counseling, Psychological and Social Services;
Staff Wellness and Integrated School And Community Health
Promotion. The Reading School District Wellness Committee also
utilizes these components to organize the activities of its eight
subcommittees.
School
health services focuses on the primary, secondary and tertiary
prevention of illness and injury prevention. Tracking the status
of students who require immunizations and contract communicable
diseases is a primary prevention task. The goal is to prevent the
onset of illness. The aim of secondary prevention is to identify
the presence of illness or disease and prevent its progression. The
certified school nurses review health histories, physicals and field
trip forms as well as complete and follow-up on screenings and
referrals. In addition, two of the Certified School Nurses are
Practitioners with the ability to complete state-mandated and
working paper physicals.
Tertiary
prevention strategies focus on the treatment or rehabilitation of
the individual with an identified illness or injury. In order to
promote the level of functioning that is both optimal and holistic,
the certified school nurses and health assistants utilize the First
Aid and Medication Procedure Manuals. The certified school nurses
develop a list of students with chronic medical conditions and food
allergies. The health of students with special needs is addressed
with the development of Individualized Care Plans, Emergency Care
Plans, 504 plans and medical addenda to Individualized Educational
Plans.
The dental
health services provided by the Reading School District dental
hygienists also falls into the school health services realm of
school health services. This wellness subcommittee will address
district-wide prevention services, education emergency care,
referrals and management of acute and chronic conditions.
Within the school
health education component, the certified school nurses act as a
resource for teachers who teach health education curricula.
Specifically, the certified school nurses traditionally lead the
Growth and Development movie and discussion for all fifth grade
students. In addition, the certified school nurses, as experts in
the health field, utilize “teachable moments” to provide instruction
to students during routine visits to the health room. The health
education subcommittee of the Wellness Committee focuses on
exploring programs that will supplement the current health
curriculum.
The health
department staff meets goals of the school health environment
component by addressing safety concerns in each building. The
certified school nurses collaborate with administrators and
facilities personnel to monitor the presence of hand-washing
supplies in the lavatories. Accident and incident reports are
generated and reviewed to identify safety and procedural concerns.
The Wellness
Committee’s healthy school environment subcommittee supports the
district Safety Committee as a means to ensure a safe, physical
plant. This subcommittee also reviews issues related to the
physical emotional and social climate of the school.
The
certified school nurses collaborate with the Curriculum and Athletic
Departments to ensure that students have various opportunities to be
active before, during and after the normal school day. The
students’ safe, optimal level of physical activity is monitored by
communicating with parents and health care providers when gym
excuses or adaptive physical education programs are necessary.
School nurse practitioners and certified school nurses assist in the
completion of sports physicals, provide coverage at the Elementary
Track and Field Day and accompany students to the Special Olympics
Field Day at Kutztown University.
The
physical education subcommittee of the Wellness Committee supports
programs and activities that promote lifelong physical activity. An
emphasis is placed on the development of basic movement skills,
sport skills and physical fitness.
Cooperation
is also evident between the certified school nurses and the Food
Service Director. The Food Services Director provides the nurses
with information regarding the carbohydrate count of breakfast and
lunch items. This information is utilized to plan and provide care
to diabetic and hypoglycemic students. The certified school nurses
compile a list of students with food allergies and intolerances.
This information is verified with documentation from health care
providers and families before being shared with the appropriate food
services personnel.
As a member of the
Wellness Committee, the Food Services Director has been open to
recommendations for healthy food choices beyond the requirements of
current district policies and state and federal legislation. The
school nutrition subcommittee concentrates on the integration of
nutritious, affordable and appealing meals, nutrition education and
an environment that promotes healthy eating behavior.
The school
counseling, psychological and social services component of this
school health model is addressed via district and community
referrals. The certified school nurses complete multidisciplinary
and student assistance program referrals at the request of parents
and district personnel. When required, the nurses review
transportation and homebound requests as part of preparing
educational plans for students. Programs and initiatives for
migrant and homeless students are utilized by health department
staff and shared with the appropriate families. Direct referrals to
Berks County Children and Youth and Service Access Management are
made to address child abuse and neglect concerns and mental health
issues, respectively.
This
subcommittee within the Wellness Committee collects and disseminates
information on services to address cognitive, emotional, behavioral
and social needs of students and their families. The goal of this
subcommittee is to promote and support activities that will prevent
and address problems and facilitate positive learning and healthy
behaviors.
The
certified school nurses encounter approximately 1800 staff per year
for the treatment of illnesses and injuries. The staff wellness
subcommittee of the Wellness Committee is dedicated to promote
activities that maintain and improve the health and well-being of
school staff who serve as role models for students.
Promotion
of integrated school and community health occurs when the certified
school nurses are visibly present and share information at back to
school events, open houses and parent-teacher conferences. The
certified school nurses also facilitate community programs within
various schools. This Wellness Committee subcommittee promotes
partnerships among schools, families, community groups and
individuals that share and maximize resources and expertise to
address the health development of children youth and their families.
Meet the Health
Services Staff
|
Ms.
Anne Fisher
Director of
School Health |
Education
York College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Kutztown University, Certified School Nurse
Eastern University, Masters Degree in Education
Eastern University, Supervisory Certificate
Bio
Ms. Fisher is responsible or managing all aspects of the school
health program in the Reading School District which includes
supervising all certified school nurses and health assistants.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
610-371-5748
Email:
fishera@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Reading
School District Wellness Council
·
LEA for 504
plans
·
Member of
Safety Committee |
|
Ms.
Denise Bononno
Certified
Nurse Practitioner |
Education
DeSales University- B.S. in Nursing
Certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Gwynedd-Mercy
College
Master's Equivalency-Department of Education
Bio
Ms. Bononno
works at
10th&Green Elementary School, 13th&Green Elementary School and the
Citadel Cottage. She
performs
district wide physicals as needed including sports, and working
paper physicals. She has been involved in various committees
throughout her many years of service to the district.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
Email:
BononnoD@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Physicals
for sports and working papers.
|
|
Ms.
Janet Jackson
Certified
Nurse Practitioner |
Education
St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing-Registered Nurse License
University of New York-Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Gwynedd Mercy College- Master of in Nursing
Bio
As a pediatric nurse practitioner, Ms. Jackson is responsible for
managing school health services for assigned school buildings in the
Reading School District. Currently Janet Jackson works for the
Southwest Middle School, Holy Name High School and the Reading Jr.
Academy. She is a Red Cross, First Aid and CPR Instructor.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
Email:
JacksonJ@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
School
District Wellness Council
·
Sports
Physicals
·
Working
Paper Physicals |
|
Ms.
Vicki Aquila
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
York College of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Kutztown University, School Nurse Certification
Bio
Vicki Aquila is a certified school nurse at North West Middle School
and she covers some of the parochial schools.
She continues to look forward to many other opportunities to help
the Reading School District Staff meet their wellness needs.
|
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Grades:
6-8
Phone:
610-371-5888
Email:
aquilav@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Northwest
Middle School nurse
·
Wellness
Committee
·
Student
Assistance Program
·
ROAR |
|
Ms.
Kathryn Behm
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Certified
School nurse
Bio
Ms. Behm
works for the Reading School District as a certified school nurse
and is currently working at Reading High School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:
610-371-5748
Email:
behmk@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Reading
High School nurse |
|
Ms.
Veronica Caffarello-Furey
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Certified
School nurse
Bio
Ms. Furey works for the Reading School District as a certified
school nurse and is currently working at 13th and Union
Elementary School and 12th and Marion Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:
610-371-5797
Email:
fureyv@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
12th and
Marion Elementary School nurse.
·
13th and
Union Elementary School nurse. |
|
Ms.
Susan Cawley
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Certified
School nurse
Bio
Ms. Cawley works for the Reading School
District as a certified school nurse and is currently working at
Riverside Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5898
Email:
cawleys@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Riverside
Elementary School nurse |
|
Ms.
Barb Filer
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Chestnut Hill Hospital School of Nursing-Registered Nurse License
Bachelor of Science in Nursing- University of Pennsylvania
Bio
Barbara Filer Provides school health services and assists with
sports physicals to students in the Thomas Ford Elementary School,
Thomas Ford Magnet School and the Tyson Schooner Elementary School.
She is a member of the Reading School District Wellness Council.
|
|
Grades:
K-6
Phone:
610-371-5957
Email:
filerb@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Thomas Ford
Elementary School nurse
·
Thomas Ford
Magnet School Elementary School nurse
·
Tyson
Schoener Elementary School nurse
·
Member of
the Wellness Council |
|
Ms.
Deb Foley
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
York College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Kutztown University, School Nurse Certificate
Kutztown
University and Penn State University, Pursuing Master Degree in
Nursing
Pennsylvania
Registered Nurse (RN) License
Bio
She currently serves as the school nurse at Lauer’s Park Elementary
School and 10th and Penn Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5964
Email:
foleyd@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Lauer’s
Park Elementary School nurse
·
10th &
Penn Elementary School nurse |
|
Ms.
Mildred Nawa
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Certified
School nurse
Bio
Ms. Nawa works for the Reading School District as a certified school
nurse and is currently working at Reading High School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:
610-371-5748
Email:
nawam@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
Reading
High School nurse |
|
Ms.
Tracey Ravert
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
West Chester University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
West Chester University, pursuing Master of Science in Nursing
Bio
Ms. Ravert works for the Reading School District as a certified
school nurse and is currently working at Reading High School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:
610-371-5748
Email:
ravertt@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Reading
High School nurse
·
Member of
the Reading School District Coordinated School Health
Council
·
Student
Assistance Team |
|
Ms.
Tina Schmeck
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Certified
School nurse
Bio
Ms. Schmeck works for the Reading School District as a certified
school nurse and is currently working at 16th and Haak
Elementary School and Amanda Stoudt Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5764
Email:
schmeckt@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
16th and
Haak Elementary School
·
Amanda
Stoudt Elementary School |
|
Ms.
Shari Wapinsky
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Lycoming College, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
Kutztown University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
Kutztown University, Certified School Nurse
Pennsylvania licensed as a registered nurse.
Bio
Ms. Wapinsky works for the Reading School District as a school nurse
at 16th & Haak
and Northwest Elementary Schools. It is her job to assist the chief
medical officer in providing the fullest possible educational
opportunity for each student by minimizing absence due to illness
and helping to create a climate of health and well being.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
Email:
wapinsks@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
16th
and Haak Elementary School nurse
·
Northwest
Elementary School nurse
·
Newsletter
·
Member of
the Wellness Committee |
|
Ms.
Cynthia Willard
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
Reading Hospital School of Nursing, Registered Nurse License
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Certified School Nurse
Bio
Ms. Williard
works for the Reading School District as a certified school nurse
and is currently working at Northeast Middle School.
|
|
Grades:
6-8
Phone:
610-371-5778
Email:
willardc@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Northeast
Middle School nurse |
|
Ms.
Ann Martino
Certified
School Nurse |
Education
St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing
Kutztown University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
Certified as School Nurse
Bio
Ms. Martino manages all aspects of school health services at
Southern Middle School and Millmont Elementary.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
610-371-5809
Email:
martinoa@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Millmont
Elementary School nurse
·
Southern
Middle School nurse
·
Central
Catholic High School nurse |
|
Ms.
Marlene Casiano
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Casiano works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and travels between buildings across the district.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
Email:
casianom@readingsd.org
|
|
Ms.
Barbara Alexander
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Alexander works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and travels between buildings across the district.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
Email:
alexandb@readingsd.org
|
|
Ms.
Penny Ash
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Ash works for the Reading School District as a health assistant
and is currently working at 14th and Union Elementary
School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5898
Email:
AshP@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
13th and
Union Elementary School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Beatriz DeFazio
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. DeFazio works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and travels between buildings across the district.
|
|
Grades:
K-12
Phone:
Email:
defaziob@readingsd.org
|
|
Ms.
Sharon Gass
Health
Assistant |
Education
Medical Assistant Certificate-PACE Institute
Bio
Ms. Gass works for the Reading School District as a health assistant
and is currently working at Northwest Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5906
Email:
GassS@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Northwest
Elementary School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Joy Himmelmann
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Himmelmann works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and is currently working at 12th and Marion
Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5791
Email:
himmelm@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
12th and
Marion Elementary School Health Assistant
|
|
Mrs.
Shelli Jennings
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Jennings works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and is currently working at the Reading High School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:610-371-5748
Email:
JenningS@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Reading
High School |
|
Ms.
Terry Kapenstein
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Kappenstein works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and is currently working at Amanda Stoudt Elementary
School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5820
Email:
KappensT@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Amanda
Stoudt Elementary School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Anne Klein
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Klein works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and is currently working at Glenside Elementary and the
Gateway for Performing Arts Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-6
Phone:
610-371-5918
Email:
KleinA@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Glenside
Elementary School Health Assistant
·
Gateway
Performing Arts School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Wendy Klink
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Klink works for the Reading School District as a health
assistant and is currently working at Millmont Elementary School.
|
|
Grades:
K-5
Phone:
610-371-5318
Email:
klinkw@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Millmont
Elementary School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Terrie Le
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Le works for the Reading School District as a health assistant
and is currently working at the Gateway School for Technology
Elementary School and Southern Middle School.
|
|
Grades:
9-12
Phone:
610-371-5809
Email:
letl@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Gateway
School for Technology Health Assistant
·
Southern
Middle School Health Assistant
|
|
Ms.
Susan Lehr
Health
Assistant |
Bio
Ms. Lehr works for the Reading School District as a health assistant
and is currently working at Northeast Middle School.
|
|
Grades:
K-8
Phone:
610-371-5778
Email:
lehrs@readingsd.org
Contact person for:
·
Northeast
Middle School Health Assistant
|
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